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Positive partnerships for sustainable business

Business sees the SDGs as an opportunity, not a burden

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launched by the United Nations just over a year ago, have been greeted with optimism from the business community with many seeing real hope and usefulness in them. However, there is some scepticism.

Nearly half of respondents (46%) cite the SDGs as important anchors for improving stakeholder partnerships. When asked why it is important to engage with the SDGs, eight out of ten business leaders surveyed (79%) assert that the SDGs already align with their corporate values and sustainability strategy. Just over half (52%) accept the SDGs as a source of new business opportunities. This shows that strong links between the SDGs and real business goals are already being formed.

However, the study also reveals a critical disconnect between top management in companies and middle management. When asked which parts of their organisations are aware of the SDGs, respondents claim strong knowledge among CSR officers (67%) and fairly strong knowledge among top management (53%), but very low knowledge among middle managers (11%).

Middle management is a critical group that, if engaged, can have significant impact and influence on the adoption of the SDGs. As the essential gatekeepers between top management and employees, middle management is the most urgent audience for immediate education on the SDGs. Only 13% of respondents say that employees in general have knowledge of the SDGs, and middle management buy-in will be crucial in raising this awareness.

What is the level of awareness on the SDGs within your corporation?

Per cent of total mentions, all respondents, 2017

Establishing partnerships and sharing best practices (with case study examples) will be important in creating a roadmap to inspire businesses to tackle the SDGs. Half of business leaders surveyed (51%) say that low social awareness is the main challenge that they face in engaging with the SDGs. In addition, 37% cite a lack of direction on how to implement the SDGs as an obstacle, and 36% cite a lack of government leadership. Government clearly has a key role to play in helping business leaders to engage with the SDGs.

What are the main difficulties/challenges that companies face in engaging with the SDGs?

Per cent of total mentions, all respondents, 2017

When asked who they consider to be their most relevant partners in addressing the SDGs, nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) name other business peers – further showcasing the leading role of business in carrying out the UN 2030 Agenda.

Who are the most relevant partners for companies to address the SDGs?

Per cent of total mentions, all respondents, 2017

Activating engagement

The full report of this study (pdf) presents steps that an organisation can take to reinforce its engagement with the SDGs. The appointment of an internal champion responsible for mainstreaming the SDGs is one recommendation. Transparency will also be key, and businesses should establish and publish targets which commit their company to transforming their social and environmental footprints in line with the most relevant SDGs.

The positive outlook showcased throughout the report is matched by a pragmatic call for action and collaboration at all levels. While business leaders should seek to engage and educate middle management, governments and multi-lateral institutions must work to enhance public awareness, recognition, and demand for the SDGs.

The SDGs are a new factor for consideration in business. Buy-in is not perfect, but companies that embrace the SDGs will gain access to new partners, a new sense of social purpose, and new business opportunities. By seeing the SDGs as an opportunity rather than a burden, companies can help both the wider world and themselves.

With this in mind, CSR Europe calls on all stakeholders, including the European Commission, to embrace the UN SDGs with practical action, and to create opportunities for strong multi-stakeholder collaboration which will be needed to activate Europe’s potential.

Read the full report here and download our infographic here to find out more.

Author

Christophe Guibeleguiet is CEO of GlobeScan. He leads international multi-disciplinary teams of seasoned researchers and senior advisors to help organisations align policies and programs with their corporate purpose and unique stakeholder ecosystem. Christophe is a public affairs thought leader and strategist. He has over 20 years’ experience advising Fortune 500 companies, global NGOs, and governments on reputation and stakeholder management.

Stefan Crets is executive director of CSR Europe, the European platform for companies and stakeholders to exchange and cooperate to become European leaders in sustainable competitiveness and societal wellbeing. From 2002 onwards, Stefan worked as the CSR leader at Toyota Motor Europe where he developed and implemented a new strategy, which informed Toyota’s worldwide approach. In 2008, Stefan was appointed general manager for corporate planning and CSR, Toyota Europe.

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